|
Editorial Review Product Description
AWARD FINALIST
To truly understanding Kata means really knowing your history.
All too frequently, martial arts practitioners study their art without truly understanding where it comes from, how it was developed, and why it was created in the first place. Indeed, many don't care - and if you feel this way, you should put this book down. For the rest of us, who have taken our art beyond tournaments, it is reasonable to expect that we want to uncover the past. We want to understand the where, why and how of martial art development. We are intellectually curious about our combative history.
To study the combative arts is to understand the circumstances of their development and to gain insights into the views and ethics of the societies that created them. As we travel back in time, we see consistent evidence of martial systems being influenced by those that came before and/or invaded. We also see the use of 'pre-arranged' fighting patterns kata to transmit proven techniques from one generation to the next.
It is this transmission of martial knowledge, through kata and other forms of communication, that this book will explore. The author will demonstrate that pre-arranged fighting techniques katas were used by ancient Greek, Egyptian, Asian, African and European societies. And that Poetry, Dance, and Song were also significant methods of preserving and transmitting battle-tested fighting tactics through the ages.
The purpose of kata training is not to become bound by the form but to transcend the form itself - to evolve. ... Read more Customer Reviews (7) 
Interesting ideas, not much else
The book was ok, it had a few interesting ideas on development of martial arts and martial culture, but not particularly well written.
Disappointing
I was Very Disappointed in this book - the title and blurb seemed to indicate some actual kata application (bunkai) information would be present ... but there is not enough to matter to me. Reads more like a Masters dissertation than a japanese applied martial arts discussion.
Working insight
As a goju practitioner with over 25 years experience, I found much of this work to be confirming of exisiting knowledge.However there are many,many clear insights which have thown new light on old topics!I found the book to be easy to read, practical, and offering a clear and detailed insight into the world of kata.This book, is a must have for any goju practitioner looking to expand their knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of kata.The book is full of aggravating typographical errors...words missing and so on.The book needs revision with a view to correcting these mistakes which provide the reader with a source of real annoyance.Look past this, and the book should be on every goju teacher's desk for constant reference.Hooray!At last a classy text on goju! But martial artists of any style will find it excellent.Congratulations to the authors.Well done.
A thoughful and interesting review of the literature
The author has put together an insightful and thought provoking review of the available literature and provided some excellent commentary on the concepts involved in kata. A useful text for the professional instructor looking for deeper meaning as to the 'why'.
Exploring the deeper meaning of katas to gain insights
Written by a martial artist of 25 years' experience who has studied and practiced Isshin Ryu, Bando, Judo, and Boxing, Kata And The Transmission Of Knowledge teaches the reader about the deeper meaning behind ritual forms and pre-arranged fighting techniques known as katas. Chapters foster a better understanding of katas as means to transmit successful techniques from one generation to the next; the author scrutinizes katas that have been used in Greek, Egyptian, Asian, African and European societies since ancient times. Exploring the deeper meaning of katas to gain insights into the views and ethics of societies from which they originated, Kata And The Transmission Of Knowledge is especially recommended for martial artists seeking to better understand the nuances, purpose, history, and applications of the skills they pursue.
... Read more |
